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  • Inquests

Inquest Solicitors

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Attending an inquest or public enquiry into the death of a loved one can be very hard. Our specialist inquest solicitors have the expertise and experience necessary to make sure you, your family, and other interested parties get the answers you need at this difficult time.

Contact one of our team today on 0800 028 1943 or fill out our online form and we'll call you back.

The Coroner calls an inquest when someone has died in a violent or unnatural way. If it is suspected that the state caused, contributed to or failed to prevent the death of a person, the Coroner will call what is known as an Article 2 inquest. At an Article 2 inquest, the state will have legal representation. It's very important to have legal experts on your side to make sure all the facts about your loved one's death are investigated.

We have extensive experience in advising and representing parties at inquests. We can help the families of people who have died:

  • In police custody
  • In prison
  • After contact with the police
  • While detained under the Mental Health Act
  • In a workplace accident
  • Due to medical negligence
  • While detained in a hospital or care setting.

The inquest process is complicated and can be daunting, especially at a time when you are already trying to cope with your loss. Knowing you have an expert team on your side to support you through the proceedings and work hard to make sure the facts are properly investigated can ease the burden.

Our expert solicitors have extensive experience representing families at an inquest, in particular the families of individuals who have been especially vulnerable at the time of their death. We work closely with the charity INQUEST to make sure deaths in custody and other state detention are given the attention they deserve.

Our expert solicitors have also advised and represented organisations such as care providers who are interested parties and give evidence at Inquests. We also act for parties involved in public inquiries.

We're passionate about achieving justice for those who have been let down by the police, social services, and other authority bodies. We'll fight to get answers for you, your family and any interested parties and make sure all the facts are investigated so that the same mistakes don't happen again.

A Guide to Inquests – FAQs

Our medical negligence senior associate, Ayse Ince, answers frequently asked questions about inquests.

Differences in Civil & Coronial Processes and How to Ensure the Best Outcome for Bereaved Families

In this webinar, Senior Associate Solicitor, Nicola Handley, was joined by Derek Winter, Deputy Chief Coroner, and Mike Rawlinson, K.C Barrister, for an interesting session about Evidence and Conclusions and the different ways they can be relied upon in the Civil and Coronial process.

Experience representing many families at inquest
Work closely alongside charity INQUEST
Specialist Human Rights lawyers
Offices around the country

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Yogi Amin
Yogi Amin Partner and National Head of Public Law and Human Rights Meet the team

Public Inquests - More Information

An inquest is a public hearing held when someone has died in violent or unnatural circumstances. Its purpose is to answer four questions:

  • Who has died?
  • When did they die?
  • Where did they die?
  • How did they die?

The inquest itself does not blame individuals or organisations, but it does provide the opportunity for a full investigation into a person's death, which helps determine who was responsible.

Under the European Convention on Human Rights, Article 2 is the right to life. If the state has somehow been involved in a person’s death the Coroner will call an Article 2 inquest and as well as the above four questions, the hearing will also address:

  • In what circumstances a person died

Examples of an Article 2 inquest are where a person has died:

  • In custody or prison
  • In a psychiatric hospital
  • As the result of lethal force from a police officer

If the inquest finds there has been a breach of Article 2, you may be able to bring a claim for compensation under the Human Rights Act.

Many inquests last only a few hours, but when a person has died in complicated circumstances - especially Article 2 cases - it could take several days, or even a number of weeks.

The inquest is usually opened soon after the death, but the hearing itself will not take place until all investigations to gather evidence have been concluded. On average, these adjournments last a few months - but if more time is needed for the investigations, it could take longer.

The Coroner will issue an interim death certificate to allow the family to hold a funeral and take care of the financial and administrative affairs of the deceased in the meantime.

Coroners have a duty to hold inquests within 6 months of being notified of a death, if possible. If more than 12 months has passed and the inquest has not concluded, they must notify the Chief Coroner.

Because of the very individual nature of the process and every case, there's no certainty how long any inquest will take. We can advise you in this difficult time and make sure you understand what's happening at every step.

Our Public Law & Human Rights solicitors are listed as leaders in their field by legal directories Chambers & Partners and Legal 500. We have taken cases to the highest courts in the UK and Europe and our work has led to changes in the law itself.

We understand that these cases can be very personal and we treat each and every client with the utmost sensitivity and discretion. Our team will provide a friendly and professional service from the moment you first get in touch.

Meet our team of Public Law & Human Rights solicitors.

Client Quote

I feel like I've taken on the world and beaten it, not just for me but for everyone else.”

Mrs R, Client

Client Story - Inquest Investigates Police Failings After Young Man's Suicide

client story - police treatment

We represented the family of a young man who took his own life shortly after being released from police custody. 

Logan Peters was assaulted by police during an unlawful stop and search then put in the cells, where his attempts to self-harm were ignored. Hours after he was released, he killed himself. He had been trying to access mental health services in the weeks before his arrest. 

The inquest found serious failings in Logan's treatment which contributed to his death. The Coroner's report gave several recommendations for revisions to police procedure.

client story - inquest


"We urge Devon and Cornwall Police to make the necessary changes to ensure that all police officers fully understand their legal powers and that there is better communication in custody to ensure full assessment of the risks posed to vulnerable people.” - Logan's father

Fiona McGhie


“This tragic case highlights real concerns about the inadequate understanding of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. We hope that lessons are learned so that this cases like this are not repeated in the future.”- Fiona McGhie, Senior Associate

Read More Client Stories

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Do I Need Legal Representation At Inquest?

An inquest is held to determine how and when a person died if their death was in violent or unexpected circumstances. If the state was involved in the person’s death they will have legal representation at the inquest and for what is known as 'equality of arms' the family of the deceased will need to have legal representation too.

Having legal representation at inquest is very important to ensure the circumstances surrounding your loved one's death are thoroughly investigated. If your loved one died in police custody or after contact with the police, the police officer(s) in question may have their own legal representation too. It's crucial to have expert lawyers on your side who have the experience and expertise to get you the answers you need and ensure all the facts are fully looked into.

The Coroner decides what evidence is obtained for the inquest. To ensure this evidence is as comprehensive as possible, it may be necessary to conduct an investigation before the inquest. We can help gather evidence and prepare your case so that all the necessary information is seen at the inquest itself.

Some inquests have a jury, which can add to the complexity of the process. There might be legal technicalities to address about the conclusions drawn by the jury or Coroner. Having the right expertise on hand is vital to guide you through the process and make sure you find out the truth about your loved one's death.

Our legal expertise can also ensure that the right action is taken following the inquest. An inquest itself will not blame individuals or organisations for the death of a person - but it can be crucial in determining the failings that contributed to your loved one's death. We will make sure that those responsible are held to account following the findings of an inquest.

Call our solicitors today on 0800 028 1943 or contact us online to find out how we can help.

Why Choose Irwin Mitchell?

Our expert lawyers have extensive experience in many high profile cases representing families at inquest. We’ve helped families whose loved ones have died in police custody, in psychiatric hospitals or shortly after release. Some of our most notable high profile cases include:

  • Investigating the role of mental health services and social services in the death of Bob Crane - a known hoarder with bi-polar disorder who died in a house fire
  • Representing the mother of Poppi Worthington, the toddler who died suddenly in 2012
  • Investigating the involvement of a mental health trust and detention in police custody in the death of Logan Peters, who died shortly after being released
  • Representing the family of Abbi McAllister, who committed suicide after absconding from detention - the jury found severe failings on the part of the mental health trust
  • Examining the role of children's services following the death of Laura Newlands, who was 15 at the time
  • Investigating the role of South Yorkshire police in the death of Steven Budziszewski, an alcohol-dependant man who died in custody after the police failed to call a doctor
  • Representing the family of Lloyd Butler who died in police custody - the inquest found his death could have been prevented if he had been taken to hospital as per police policy

We work closely with the charity INQUEST, which provides advice and support to families who have to attend an inquest and campaigns for greater awareness around deaths in custody and other state detention. We are committed to securing justice for those whose deaths could have been preventable and working to make sure the same mistakes are not repeated.

We understand the issues you will be facing and can help support you in this difficult time. Call the team to today on 0800 028 1943, or contact us online.

What Is The Inquest Process?

Before the inquest begins, a pathologist will usually conduct a post-mortem to determine the cause of death. If you are unhappy with the results of the post-mortem, you may request a second post-mortem at your own expense.

It is up to the Coroner what evidence is obtained for the inquest. We can help with this process and make sure investigations and reports are commissioned to ensure the evidence that is seen at the inquest is as comprehensive as possible.

The inquest hearing is held once all the evidence is compiled. This is usually within a few months of the death, but sometimes it can be longer if further investigations are needed.

At the inquest itself, the Coroner will call each witness to give evidence. If witnesses do not appear in person their witness statement will be read by the Coroner in their place. If family members are called as witnesses, they will usually give evidence first.

The inquest is not held to establish criminal liability. However, its findings can be very important in then pursuing a case against the persons or organisation responsible. At the end of the inquest the Coroner will deliver a report into their findings.

Our guide to attending inquests gives you more information about what to expect and how Irwin Mitchell can help.

Related Information – Public Inquests

Malicious Prosecution – Our solicitors can help if you think you've been wrongfully prosecuted
False Imprisonment – We can help if you've been detained unlawfully by police
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authorities – Find out how to get compensation from CICA
Professional Regulation And Discipline – We can advise you if you or your business is facing investigation

* To make a No Win No Fee claim, you need to enter a No Win No Fee agreement that's linked to a suitable insurance policy. We'll explain this in more detail before we start your claim.

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